title: Parent-reported medication use in a head start population.
abstract: This study investigates the prevalence of medication use within a Head Start population. Parent-reported data (N = 1,397) from initial enrollment information indicated 6.8% of children were taking 34 different types of medication. More than two thirds (69%) of those on medication were prescribed more than one medication, and more than one third (37%) were taking three or more medications. The majority of children were reported to be taking medications that were asthma (88%) or allergy (17%) related. Psychotropic medications accounted for 4% of the medications, indicating a prevalence of less than 0.3%. African American and Hispanic children were overrepresented in those taking medicines. School nurses can work with parents and caregivers of Head Start children by raising awareness of (1) the benefits and side effects of medications commonly taken within this population, (2) the significant role that asthma medications play in low-income areas, and (3) the issues and challenges associated with polypharmacy practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Tara M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Brinkman
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010290:Parents; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D019338:Polypharmacy
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations